Return-valve for radiators and similar devices.



G. M. COLLIER. RETURN VALVE FOR EADIATORS AND SIMILAR DEVICES. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29, 1913.

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GEORGE M. COLLIER, 0F CINCINNATI, O l-IIO, ASSIGNOR OF 'II-IREE-SIXTEENTHS 'IO CLIFFORD W. GEISsT AND THREE-SIXTEENTHS GEORGE A. EDMOND$QN, BOTH 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO.

RETUR'N"VAIJVE FOR RADIATORS AND SIMILAR DEVICES.

nose-e To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonen M. COLLIER, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Return-Valves for Radiators and Similar Devices, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to return valves for radiators, and has for an object to produce an improved valve of this type, in which means are employed for freely delivering the water of condensation to the return or discharge port of the valve and also for maintaining a water seal between the inlet port and the return port, which will prevent steam from being discharged through the return port with the water.

A further object is to provide a valve having means for separating oil from the water of condensation, prior to delivering the water through the return port of the valve.

These and other objects I attain by means of a valve embodying the features herein described, and illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a partof this application.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a valve embodying my invention, the section being taken along the line 11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the valve along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

The principal function of a return valve is that of discharging or delivering the water of condensation from the radiator to the return system, without permitting steam to flow through the discharge port into the return. When steam is delivered through the discharge port, the heating efficiency of the radiator, and of the entire heating system is materially reduced. Valves of various construction and valves designed to operate in various ways have been employed for the purpose of discharging the water of condensation into the return system, but so far as I know, no valve has been employed which is as simple in construction and as effective in operation as valves embodying my invention.

The valve illustrated as an embodiment of my invention includes a substantially cylindrical casing 3 provided with an inlet Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 29, 1913.

Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

Serial No. 744,838.

port 4- and a return or discharge port 5. The inlet port is preferably, but not necessarily, located at one side of, and about midway between the ends of the casing, and is surrounded by a screw-threaded flange 6, which is adapted to be secured to the radiator in such a way that the port 4 communicates with the discharge port of the radiator.

. A discharge passage 7 which communicates with the port 5, is formed within the walls of the casing and is separated from the condensation chamber 8 by means of a diaphragm or partition 9. The passage terminates in a threaded flange which surrounds the port 5 and which is adapted to be secured to the return piping of the heating system. A port 11 is formed in the partition 9, so as to establish communication between the chamber 8 and the passage 7. This port is preferably located centrally, with relation to the cylindrical portion of the casing, and is provided with an upwardly projecting tubular member 12, which extends into the chamber 8, to a point substantially on a level with the center of'the inlet port 4. The upper end of the member 12 forms a valve seat for a float or ball valve 13, which normally closes communication between the chamber 8 and the passage 7. As illustrated, the casing 3 is provided with a top 14, which screws into the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the casing and forms therewith a steam tight joint. An apron or battle tube 15 is secured to the top 14 and projects downwardly into the chamber 8 and surrounds the upper end of the tubular member 12. As illustrated, the apron is square in cross-section and is provided with an annular flange at its upper end, which is employed in securing it to the top 1 1. The interior of the apron is provided with a series of integrally formed downwardly inclined baffle plates 16, which project into close proximity with the tubular member 12, and consequently into close proximity with the ball valve 13. The inner edges of the plates, in effect, forma guide for the valve and direct it to its seat on the member 12. The baffle plates also increase the resistance to flow of water passingthrough the baflie tube 15 and they also provide a large surface for the deposition of oil which may be entrained with the water.

The operation of the valve is substantially munication between the chamber 8 and the passage 7 It will be apparent that the differences in pressures in the chamber 8 and the passage 7, as well as the weight of the valve 13, will cause the water to rise to a point above the upper end of the tubular.

member 12 before the valve 13 is lifted from its seat, and that therefore water only will be delivered through the tubular member to I It will also be apparent that as the level of the water w'thin the chamber 8 decreases, the suction of the water passing through the tubular member will cause thefloat or ball valve 13 to seat and that the diflerence in pressures will firmly hold itl to its seat until the water again rises in the 5 the port 5.

chamber 8.

By providing the apron or tubular baffle: 15, I produce a water seal, for the discharge valve, whlch is absolutely effective 1n its operation. The upper end of the tubular bafiie is closed and consequently steam within the chamber 8 is not exposed to the surface of the water discharging through the upper end of the'tubular member 12. The only way that steam can reach the discharge port 5 is by passing through the space between the apron 15 and the tubular member 12, and then by passing through the tubular member. lVhile the valve 13 is unseated the space between the tubular member and the apron 15 is filled with water, and consequently the water will prevent the passage of steam. hen the space between the tubular member 12 and the apron 15 is free from water, the valve 13 is seated and the pres ence of steam within the upper end of the apron 15 will merely increase the seating pressure of the valve.

While the baflle plates 16 do not materially impede the natural flowof water through the space between the tubular member 12 and the battle 15, they operate as a check which prevents the steam pressure within the chamber 8 from blowing water contained within the chamber out through the port 5 when the valve 13 is open. This is also prevented, to a great degree, by closing the upper end of the tubular battle 15.

If desired, the valve seat may be provided with a small groove for discharging air from the radiator. This will produce an aperture which is always open and which is so restricted by the presence of water of condensation that it will deliver less water than the minimum amount of condensation. Such an arrangement is not necessary, since the valve may be employed in connection with any well known air discharge valve. w

The battle plates 16 will to a great extent collect the oil from the water and when the valve is empty, the oil will drip from one battle plate to another and will finally drop onto the bottom of the valve casing. As the valve fllls with water of condensation this oil will float and only a small part will be returned through the space between the tubular member and the apron 15, since the major portion of the water delivered through the tubular member is received from the lower end of the chamber 8. A film of oil will therefore collect on the surface ofthe water of condensation within the chamber 8 and will be located around the baffle 15. I have provided a stop-cock or faucet 17, which may be employed for draw- '.ig off the oil from the surface of the water within the valve chamber 8.

In accordance with the United States Patent Statutes, I have described what I now consider to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, but I desire it to be understood that various modifications, omissions, and substitutions, may be made in the apparatus illustrated, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth by the appended claims.

W'hat I claim is:

1. In combination in a return valve, a 190 casing inclosing a chamber and provided with an inlet and a discharge port, a tubular member provided at its upper end with a valve seat and forming a means of communication between said ports, a float valve cooperating with said seat to close communication between the ports, and a downwardly extending tubular member sur rounding said valve and provided with baffle plates projecting into close proximity with the float valve.

2. In combination in a return valve, a casing having an inlet and a discharge port,

a valve seat located within the casing between said ports, a float valve cooperating 5 with said seat to close communication between said ports, and a tubular member provided wit-h battle plates which form a guide for the valve.

3. In combination in a return valve, a casing inclosing a chamber and provided with an inlet, an outlet, and an oil discharge port, a valve seat projecting upwardly into the chamber, and a cooperating valve for closing communication between said inlet and said outlet ports, and means, for forming a water seal between said valve and the inlet port, provided with oil-collecting baffles.

1. In combination in a return valve, a

casing inclosing a chamber and provided with an inlet and a discharge port, a valve seat projecting into the chamber, a cooperating valve for closing communication between said ports, means for producing a water seal between the valve and the inlet port and battles, formed on said means, for impeding an abnormal flow of water through the valve.

5. A return valve comprising a valve casing having an inlet and a discharge port, and a ported diaphragm located between the ports, a valve seat on the diaphragm around the port of the diaphragm, a ball valve cooperating with the seat to close communication between the ports in the valve casing, and a tubular apron, closed at its upper end, projecting downwardly around the valve and forming a guide therefor, and provided with collecting battles.

6. A valve of the character described, comprising, a casing provided with an inlet and a discharge port, and inclosing a condensation chamber with which the inlet port communicates, a tubular member extending upwardly in the chamber and provided at its upper end with a valve seat, a tubular member closed at its upper end and extending downwardly around the valve seat and below the inlet port, and a float valve surrounded by said downwardly extending member and adapted to cooperate with the valve seat in controlling communication between the inlet and the discharge ports.

7. In combination in a return valve, a casing inclosing a chamber and provided with an inlet and a discharge port, a valve seat located on the bottom of the chamber and projecting upwardly into the chamber and forming a means of communication between the ports, a valve for cooperating with said valve seat to close communication with the ports and a tubular member, airtight at its upper end, secured to the casing and extending downwardly around the valve and the valve seat, and to a point below the normal water level within the chamber.

8. In combination in a return valve, a valve casing inclosing a chamber and provided with an inlet and a discharge port, a valve seat extending upwardly in said chamber and forming a means of communication between said ports, a float valve cooperating with said seat to close communication between the ports, and an inverted cupshaped member projecting downwardly in the chamber around the valve and below the seat.

9. In combination in a return valve, a casing provided with an inlet and a discharge port and inclosing a chamber which directly communicates with said inlet port, a valve seat projecting into the chamber and located between the inlet and the discharge ports, a valve cooperating with said seat for controlling the delivery of water from the chamber through the discharge port and an inverted cup-shaped member, having imperforate walls, located within the chamber and projecting downwardly around the valve and the valve seat, so as to form a seal between the valve and said inlet port.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th day of January, 1913.

GEO. M. COLLIER.

Witnesses FRANK MILLER, R. L. R. MYERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

